U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad
On September 5th India will celebrate the culmination of the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival with the immersion of the Ganesh idols. While this is a happy occasion, it is important to note that it brings with it the need for heightened security measures country-wide. The U.S. Consulate reminds U.S. citizens of the increased security, what you can expect, and reminds you to remain vigilant.
This year’s most popular immersion celebration will take place around the Necklace Road at Hussain Sagar Lake. Other bodies of water throughout the city will also be used for smaller immersion celebrations.
NOTABLE AREAS IN HYDERABAD:
– Necklace Road/Hussain Sagar Lake and other large bodies of water.
– Major tourist areas, i.e. Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs, Charminar, NTR Park, Inorbit Mall, etc.
– City borders on highways.
– Public offices and educational institutions.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
– Heightened Police presence throughout all major cities with added vehicle security checkpoints. Additional traffic police will conduct traffic checks and random searches of seatbelts, and speed enforcement.
– The closure of major roads which will lead to heavier traffic, alternate routes, and lengthy commutes in the above mentioned areas.
– Increased security and check-in delays at both domestic and international terminals. Travelers should plan on adding extra time to their travel schedules.
– Increased security at hotels and shopping centers. In addition, before booking a hotel, confirm that there is no major event scheduled in the hotel, or surrounding area.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
– Keep a low profile. Avoid all demonstrations and civil disturbances. Do not draw attention to yourself.
– Remain vigilant. This is often called situational awareness. Observe what is going on around you – outside your home and in public places. If you see anything out of the ordinary, notify the RSO immediately.
– Monitor local media and your phone/email for information regarding developing security risks.
Remember, always drive defensively, lock your doors, and use your seatbelt whether in your car or any other vehicle.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and India Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit our Internet home page at https://in.usembassy.gov.
- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051; telephone +91-22-2672-4000; fax +91-22-2672-4786.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006; telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300.
